Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Prayer at 2nd Quarter Community Relations Meeting

Event held Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF).

By Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Copyright (c) 2018


Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., praying at prison meeting.

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Our Heavenly Father, Lord God Most High:

We thank you for our friends, our guests, our leaders, and our colleagues.

Today we ask for your presence. We ask that you would visit us and bless us with words of comfort and encouragement. Help us to excel in our communication and let us prosper in our sharing. May each of us find light, kindness and edification in our fellowship with one another.

Lord, we ask that you would be gracious and merciful in your provisions. Help us to do our part as individuals and as a community to make the world a better place to live.

As we humble ourselves in your presence, we acknowledge our strengths and our weaknesses. We know that without you, we are helpless. But with you on our side, all things are possible.

So Lord, as we begin our meeting today, we ask you to guide us in our efforts and inspire us in our aspirations. Help us to be the people we were meant to be.

Lord, we also ask, as we call on your holy name, that you would bless the meal that’s prepared. We give you thanks, even as we ask you to smile upon those who made all of this possible.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his websitehttp://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.



Tuesday, June 26, 2018

F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in T.L. Osborn Biography

Book Recounts Origin of 'Mass Miracle' Concept

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
#BosworthMention



F.F. Bosworth is featured prominently in the book, T.L. Osborn: Pioneer of Mass Miracle Evangelism (Harrison House, 2010), a title that is part of the publisher's Legacy of Faith Collection. The topic of Bosworth and his influence on T.L. Osborn is noted in Chapter 8, which is titled, "A Pivotal Point." The book suggests that a turning point in Osborn’s ministry began with an invitation by Bosworth, who wanted him to come to Flint, Mich. in 1949 “to continue Rev. William Branham’s crusade in the large city auditorium, because Branham became exhausted and was physically unable to minister to the thousands who attended the crusade.”

The chapter notes that the meeting in Flint was a crucial moment in Osborn’s ministry. Not only did it mark the start of his “ministry across the United States,” but “it was also vitally significant in the equipping and turning” Osborn and his wife “in the direction of mass miracle evangelism worldwide.” The book explains:

T.L. and Daisy’s vision for a worldwide ministry of mass miracle evangelism, was birthed in Flint, Michigan. F.F. Bosworth was the instrument God chose to seed a biblical basis for that ministry in their hearts. The Voice of Healing Revival was already underway, primarily across North America, and was noted for mass evangelism taking place under gigantic gospel tents. Up to this point the normal practice of praying for the handicapped, sick, and diseased was through long prayer lines and praying for people individually. This, in part, explained why Rev. Branham had become exhausted and physically unable to minister to the thousands attending and had to send for T.L. and Daisy to take his place. This “pattern” or “model” limited what God was able to accomplish through individuals, because of their natural limitations of time and energy.

Bosworth offered new ideas about praying for people en masse. The book notes that while he “had not crusaded beyond the United States and Canada, he was keenly interested in helping all to be blessed.” He believed that “suffering people who waited in long prayer lines for someone’s special prayer … could embrace God’s healing promises as soon as they heard them and be healed.”

According to the book, Bosworth “often discussed” that idea with the Osborns. He also used Scripture, such as Psalm 105:37 to support his position: “He brought them forth … and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” Bosworth explained: “If Moses had tried to individually lay his hands on those sick people, most them would have died before their turn would have come. Moses could never have ministered to all of them individually. The majority of them would have expired before he reach them.”



The topic of mass miracles or healing en masse is significant in the life history of Osborn, especially as it relates to Bosworth who served as his mentor. Because of Bosworth’s influence, Osborn would go on to become a noted pioneer of mass healing crusades and the author of the book, Healing en Masse (T.L. Osborn, 1958).

NOTE: I wrote about this topic in the article, "F.F. Bosworth in South Africa: A Historical Analysis of His Later Ministry and Healing Methodology" (Africa Journal of Pentecostal Studies, 2007-12-01). Read it here. The article also appears as a chapter in my book, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009).

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Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!
You can start right here. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. The Bosworth page is here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Thursday, June 21, 2018

F.F. Bosworth mentioned in "John G. Lake’s Formative Years, 1870-1908: The Making of A Con Man”

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright © 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
#BosworthMention

John G. Lake

F.F. Bosworth is mentioned in a paper that presents a scathing analysis of John G. Lake. The paper is titled "John G. Lake’s Formative Years, 1870-1908: The Making of A Con Man.” It is written by Barry Morton. The paper, in no uncertain terms, presents a highly negative evaluation of Lake. Morton unleashes a blistering critique, arguing that Lake and some of his biographers have misled readers about his life history. Lake was known for his work in South Africa, but the paper focuses on his early years, before he moved overseas. It is an attempt by Morton to set the record straight regarding the many claims made by and about Lake. His analysis of Lake's "formative years" is unsparing. He writes:

John G Lake, like his mentor John Alexander Dowie, was a master of both the big and small lie. His fairly extensive catalog of writings, most of it generated after his return to America in 1913, is a collection of banal religious dogma interspersed with as great a deliberate set of falsehoods as one could ever hope to find in writing. One turn-of-the-century debunker of John Alexander Dowie referred to the latter’s writings as “serial fiction.” The same could be said of practically anything written or preached by John G Lake.  Additionally, faith healing disciples of Lake’s such as Gordon Lindsay and Wilford Reidt produced biographies of Lake that either perpetuated his old lies or produced new ones. These dubious writings have generally not been critically examined by religious scholars. Kent Burpeau, for instance, did not cotton on to Lake’s basic con in his recent, sympathetic biography.

Morton is a research fellow in the Department of History at the University of South Africa. He does not believe in divine healing or miraculous healings as preached by Lake. He does, however, believe “faith healing can cure psychosomatic diseases.” Morton’s belief is in science. Again, he writes:

This paper is not a labor of love.  Rather, it is a much-needed corrective to a host of misleading writings that many other faith healing con men have invoked in order to increase the charismatic nature of their healing ceremonies. Despite centuries of scientific studies showing that faith healing and prayer cannot cure any organic disease or condition, many people obviously seek out these quacks for treatment.


The reality is that faith healers only trumpet invented successes and never mention the disastrous failures that attend their work. Faith healing can cure psychosomatic diseases such as depression and anxiety, given the right circumstances that faith healers train themselves to create.  The danger for the cured is that they will be pressured to become members of the faith healer’s cult and subject to intense exploitation thereafter. If my efforts in researching Lake’s past can convince a single person to avoid seeking out a faith healing cure, then I would consider them worthwhile.

Morton’s paper can be read here

F.F. Bosworth is mentioned several times in the paper. Morton describes him as a close friend of Lake. He also notes the sentiments of Bosworth during the fall of John Alexander Dowie. As a young man, Bosworth and his family lived in Zion City, Ill., the town founded by Dowie. Bosworth played in Dowie’s band.

On page 20, Morton refers to Bosworth as one of the “Parhamites” who followed the teachings of Charles Parham. In the footnote, Morton calls Bosworth “another Dowieite” who would later become a faith healer. Morton writes:

Between late 1906 and 1907 Lake was associated with, and came to co-lead, the Pentecostal “Parhamite” sect in Zion. Because of the dramatic and lurid events that occurred there, Lake and other Parhamites such as F.F. Bosworth did their best thereafter to minimize any knowledge of their involvement with it.  

On page 22, Morton notes Bosworth’s reaction to the Dowie controversy:

To say that Dowie’s followers were discouraged would be an understatement. Lake’s close friend, F.F. Bosworth, noted in the lugubrious language of Pentecostalism, “the time was at hand, when, as a Christian he was to wake up to the utter falsity of the claims which were even then developing in the mind and purpose of the mistaken, tho really great leader of Zion City, and to decline to have further association with so misguided a man.” 

Morton’s tone is not unlike that of Hank Hannegraff and John MacArthur.
Pentecostal admirers of Lake will find much with which to disagree. Still, as a critical work on Lake, his research should be seen as a useful addition to the field of church history.

For a critique of Morton’s research on Lake, see 'John G. Lake as a fraud, con man and false prophet': critical assessment of a historical evaluation of Lake's ministry by Marius Nel (nel.marius1@gmail.com), who works in the Research Unit of the Faculty of Theology North-West University. Nel’s paper, which refutes many of Morton's claims, can be read here.

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Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

You can start right here.


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For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. The Bosworth page is here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer



Monday, June 18, 2018

F.F. Bosworth Mentioned in "History of the Word-Faith Movement in America"

Paper Written for Graduate Program at Bob Jones University

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters
#BosworthMention

Robert M. Bowman Jr. is cited in Elizabeth A. Johnson's 
paper on the Word of Faith Movement.

F.F. Bosworth is mentioned in a 2017 paper on the Word of Faith movement that was submitted for a Master of Arts degree at Bob Jones University. The paper is titled, "History of the Word-Faith Movement in America." It was written by Elizabeth A. Johnson and submitted to the faculty of BJU's Seminary and Graduate School of Religion.

Johnson's paper can be read here.

Johnson acknowledges the fact that Bosworth played a role in the controversial movement, but she does not analyze his contributions or give him the attention he deserves.

Johnson begins her paper with a look at the "Foundations of the Word-Faith Movement" where she discusses the connection between Pentecostals and the Holiness and Faith-Cure movements. She also suggests metaphysics as a factor that had an influence on the movement. After introducing such influential leaders as A.J. Gordon and A.B. Simpson, she notes, albeit briefly, the roles of Charles Parham and F.F. Bosworth in Word-Faith history. On page 3, she writes:

By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Pentecostal or charismatic movement was in full swing. Men such as Charles Parham and F. F. Bosworth were preaching the restoration of a New Testament type of Christianity; they focused especially on the continuation of the five-fold offices of the church as listed in Ephesians 4:11-12 (pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, and prophets), and the charismatic gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 (healing, miracles, prophecy, and tongues). They also popularized the belief, which greatly influenced the practice of today’s faith healers, that seeking supernatural healing was generally incompatible with seeking any form of medical help.

Note: I believe Johnson meant "20th century" in the first sentence.

For the information presented on Bosworth, she drew on Robert M. Bowman Jr.'s The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel (Baker Books, 2001).

Johnson's 28-page paper presents a brief overview of the movement with emphasis on the movement's alleged ties to metaphysics, New Age, and Christian Science. While she cites some of the most popular writings on the topic, she also omits some of the most current scholarship.

Given the importance of Bosworth's contributions to the movement, one would expect to see more references to him and his book, Christ the Healer, which has been a required text at Kenneth E. Hagin's school, Rhema Bible Training Center. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Instead, Bosworth is mentioned only once, and his famous classic is not cited. There are other areas (and claims) in the paper that  many Pentecostals would question. Even so, the paper is still useful as it gives another example of how non-Pentecostals view the Word of Faith movement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!

You can start right here:
ffbosworth.strikingly.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. The Bosworth page is here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Sunday, June 17, 2018

New Hashtags for F.F. Bosworth

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters


I'm introducing two new hashtags for my work on F.F. Bosworth, Pentecostal pioneer and author of Christ the Healer. They are:

#BosworthMatters -- It uses the name of my blog, Bosworth Matters, which presents critical research and commentary on Bosworth's life history. (See http://ffbosworth.strikingly.com) The name also expresses my conviction that Bosworth truly matters in conversations about church history in general and Pentecostalism in particular. His contributions as a preacher, revivalist, author, and faith healer are significant to discussions about revival, evangelism, divine healing, and missions.

#BosworthMention -- It will be used to report selected citations or mentions of Bosworth that I come across in my reading. This will be an effective way to keep readers abreast of current and on-going work on Bosworth.

Like my use of #ThisDayinFFBosworthHistory, the new hashtags will help me to digitally assemble and categorize my work on Bosworth while keeping his name before the public. The new hashtags should also aid in making the research easier to find.

Of course, I will continue to use #FFBosworth and #ChristTheHealer.

In the interest of open access, I should note that my goal is to create an online repository of research that is definitive in scope and easily accessible. My prayer is that the information will be useful to pastors, students of history, researchers, historians, etc. It is my hope that other scholars will build on it and provide new material on Bosworth and his contributions to our history. I trust that many others will eventually see that when it comes to church history, Bosworth matters.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?

Follow the Bosworth Matters blog! 
You can read it here:
ffbosworth.strikingly.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

“Brother Branham, you’re wrong.”

F.F. Bosworth’s Surprising Rebuke of William Branham 

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright © 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters


F.F. Bosworth, left, and William Branham

In his book, Supernatural: The Life of William Branham (Tucson Tabernacle, 2001), Owen Jorgensen recounted an argument between William Branham and his ministry team in South Africa that prompted a swift and surprising reaction from F.F. Bosworth.

Branham wanted to stay in Johannesburg for a couple of weeks, go hunting for 10 days, and then go to Durban, but his team had different plans and a different itinerary. The incident, which occurred in October 1951, raised concerns about the team’s commitment to the local churches. Money had been spent and schedules had been approved. But those issues did not seem to matter to Branham, who wanted to go in the opposite direction.

When Branham insisted God had spoken to him and told him that he should not follow the approved schedules, Bosworth spoke up and rebuked him in the presence of the team members.

"Brother Branham," he said. "You are wrong."

Jorgensen featured the incident in a chapter titled, “Satan Springs His Trap 1951.” Satan’s trap, according to Branham, included Bosworth’s rebuke and those who chose to follow the approved schedulesIn addition to Bosworth, the Branham team included Billy Paul Branham, Ern Baxter, Julius Stadsklev, and a group of South African ministers. 

According to Jorgensen, Branham and his team had just held a successful salvation-healing meeting in Johannesburg. Up to 17,000 people reportedly attended the meeting in which many healings occurred. After the final service, Baxter announced plans to visit another city.

“After breakfast, Ern Baxter came to Bill and said, “Brother Branham, I’ve got some news for you. I know you want to go to Durban, but rather than going straight there from Johannesburg, the National Committee has set up an itinerary that will take us over 1,000 miles south to Capetown, then up the east coast to Durban.”

That night, wrote Jorgensen, Branham had a vision in which an angel appeared to him.

“The angel folded his arms across his chest, gazed sternly at Bill and said, “Don’t go with those men down to Capetown. Stay here in Johannesburg for two more weeks of meetings. Tomorrow you will meet a man…”

The angel reportedly had a word about hunting. He said that Branham would meet a man named Sidney Jackson who operated a farm up north. “He is a great hunter and he can take you on a safari,” the angel said. “After two weeks in Johannesburg, you must take the next 10 days and go hunting with Sidney Jackson. Then go straight to Durban and stay there until I call you. If you will do these things, I will give you the country.”

Branham pouts

After the vision, Branham rushed to the room where Baxter, his manager, was staying. He said: “Brother Baxter, wake up. The angel of the Lord just met me and told me we can’t take that itinerary the National Committee set up.”

Baxter referred him to the Rev. A.J. Schoeman, head of the National Committee, the organization that approved the meetings for Branham. When Schoeman learned of Branham’s wish, he explained that they had to keep the itinerary: “We’ve already spent thousands of dollars on advertising, and the people are expecting you to be there.”

Branham disagreed and began to sulk, according to Jorgensen.

On Friday, Oct. 12, 1951, Branham and his team loaded into three cars and headed southwest to Klerksdorp. At one point along the way, Branham, who rode in the lead car, told the driver to stop the car. The driver pulled over and stopped. He asked the evangelist what was bothering him. Branham said he could not go any farther and that he must return to Johannesburg.

The two cars following them also stopped. Schoeman walked over to Baxter and Bosworth and told them that Branham "refuses to go south." He urged the two men to speak with Branham.

Baxter and Bosworth got out of their car and walked over to Branham. After listening to Branham, Bosworth told him he was wrong. “If you go south with these men, I believe you’re going to see exceedingly abundantly above all you could ask or think,” he said.

As far as Branham was concerned, Bosworth was not convincing. To Branham, “it felt like the knife of betrayal had stabbed him between his ribs,” wrote Jorgensen.

“Daddy Bosworth, I’m shocked at you! As many times as you’ve stood on the platform and heard me say, ‘thus saith the lord,’ has it ever been wrong?”

Averting his eyes from Bill’s accusing glare, Bosworth mumbled, “Well, this time I think you’re wrong.”

Jorgensen noted the angry response from the South African ministers who were present: “One man said angrily, ‘Don’t you think that God speaks to somebody else besides you?’” Branham responded by reminding them of Korah, who was swallowed by the earth after he challenged Moses.




Gordon Lindsay's concern

In sharing the above account, it is important to note that Jorgensen’s book is not a critical biography or an exercise in objective journalism. Rather, it is a secondary source on Branham’s life history that presents a hagiographical perspective on the evangelist. As such, it tries to portray him in the best light. Jorgensen has acknowledged that the content in the book came primarily from Branham’s messages. In the section, “Endnotes and Sources,” Jorgensen noted: “Most of the details in this biography come from the personal testimony of William Branham as recorded in his 1,100+ sermons between 1947 and 1965.”

Jorgensen also drew material from Stadsklev’s book, William Branham: A Prophet Visits South Africa (1952). Interestingly enough, Stadsklev mentioned the team’s trip to Klerksdorp, but he did not mention the argument.

While some of the claims in Jorgensen's book may be questionable, some of the incidents have been reported by other sources. For example, Branham’s tendency to cancel meetings was also noted by Gordon and Freda Lindsay.

In her book, My Diary Secrets (Christ For The Nations, 1976), Freda recounted a situation involving Branham and a series of meetings in Minneapolis, Minn. Branham had asked Gordon to arrange the meetings, which he did, and at great expense. However, the night before the meeting, Gordon became alarmed when he could not reach Branham by phone. He eventually sent someone to Branham’s house and “insisted that Brother Branham answer his phone.” Freda wrote:

Branham called him back and said that he just felt led not to come to Minneapolis. A little preacher friend of his not too far from where Brother Branham lived wanted a “little meeting” so he just decided to go there and help this dear brother.

Gordon, of course was rightfully distressed. He reminded Brother Branham that he had asked him to set up this meeting; that Gordon had spent thousands of dollars in having the tent made and in shipping it to Minneapolis, plus getting the seats, the advertising, renting the organ and piano, etc. In addition Gordon told him that all future meetings would be canceled unless Brother Branham was a man of his word and kept his appointments.

Brother Branham’s response was unbelievable – almost childish. He said very meekly, “Now Brother Gordon, if you really think I should come, I will get in the car and drive all night long to get there. I didn’t really think it made all that much difference.

To make a long story short, he did drive all that night and got in just in time to go to the platform to preach without having even a chance to change his clothes.





Lessons for the church

The incident between Branham and Bosworth is an example of what can happen with Christian leaders and the people who work with them. It presents a number of important lessons for the church.

Lesson 1:  Famous Christian leaders, no matter how gifted they may be, can still have flaws in some areas of their lives. Since nobody is perfect, nobody is always right. That includes the people who are charismatic, strong, and deeply admired.

Lesson 2: Christian leaders must dare to hold people accountable, including those they respect. No one should blindly follow anyone. Like Paul calling out Peter, Christians must take a stand and confront those who are found to be wrong in doctrine or in their behavior. Consider what Paul wrote in Galatians 2:11-13:

Paul Confronts Peter
But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. – New Living Translation (NLT)

Lesson 3: Christian leaders must have discernment. They should not be so emotional in their faith that they turn a blind eye to error. Instead, they should critically judge what they see and hear by the word of God. John wrote in 1 John 4:1:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. -- English Standard Version (ESV)

Lesson 4: Christian leaders will disagree on some issues. After all, they are human. In some cases, their disagreements may lead to heated arguments. Such was the case with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:36-41:

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. – New International Version (NIV)

Lesson 5: Christian leaders have public and private voices. Depending on the situation, they will share information "on the record" and sometimes "off the record." Like politicians, they also have official versions of events and actual versions. In Bosworth's case, he used his public voice to praise Branham in books and magazines; he used his private voice to rebuke the self-proclaimed prophet. Bosworth's public voice was about marketing and public relations, but his private voice was about correction and accountability.

In his public voice, Bosworth boasted about the accuracy of Branham's discernment and his words from the Lord. However, in his private voice, he said Branham was wrong.

Lesson 6: Christian leaders should move beyond their conflict. No one is helped by holding grudges. The leaders must find a way to forgive and be reconciled, and then move forward in their work for the Lord. Bosworth and Branham eventually moved on with their work and remained close in their fellowship until the end.

Conclusion

This article is presented to shed light and provide commentary on the little-known incident in which Branham was rebuked by the elderly Bosworth. The story, as written by Jorgensen, gives readers a behind-the-scene look at the Branham campaign in South Africa in 1951. The story is a reminder that great events, even in the church, may come with challenges, disputes, and errors in judgment. Revival meetings are not immune to problems. But God’s grace is sufficient. And he is patient and full of mercy, even when leaders fail or miss his perfect will.

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Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?
Follow the Bosworth Matters blog! 
You can read it here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Sunday, June 10, 2018

F.F. Bosworth and Diabetes

What His Family Said About His Medical Condition

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright (c) 2018

#FFBosworth
#BosworthMatters

Evangelist F.F. Bosworth
(Photo courtesy of https://ifphc.org)

In an email dated June 9, 2018, a reader of my work on F.F. Bosworth asked about him having diabetes and the claim that he was never cured of the disease. The reader's question and my response are below.

THE READER:  I had previously examined the life of Rev. Bosworth and closely studied Christ the Healer before reading your book. In light of my knowledge of the man and his convictions, I was stunned to find the following information in your book F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer (page72):

"Although insisting it was always God's will to heal, he [F.F. Boworth] and his brother suffered from diabetes and were never healed of the disease."

My question:  I am desirous of knowing the source of your information regarding F.F. Bosworth's reported affliction with diabetes.  It is especially notable that your source indicates that Bosworth was "never healed of the disease."  Any information would be most appreciated.

MY RESPONSE: I must apologize for failing to include citations. That's a serious mistake on my part. I will try to clear it up in a future blog post. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Now as to your comment and question about Bosworth, I learned of the diabetes in an email from Dr. Paul King, author of Genuine Gold: The Cautiously Charismatic Story of the Early Christian and Missionary Alliance  (2006). In one email he wrote:

"My source on the diabetes of F.F. and B.B. is B.B.'s grandson Burton Bosworth, who is a C&MA pastor."

I received the same information from Donna Mitchell, granddaughter of B.B. Bosworth. In a 2004 phone interview, she also told me:

"B.B. Bosworth had diabetes, as did his son, and two grandsons."

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Note: For more information on Dr. Paul King, visit http://paulkingministries.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?
Follow the Bosworth Matters blog!
Start here!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. The Bosworth page is here. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D., via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer

Saturday, June 9, 2018

WCCF News: What's Happening at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

By Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Chaplain, WCCF
Copyright (c) 2018


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This is a collection of news briefs I wrote for The Woodville Republican (Woodville, Miss.). The collection is set to appear as a quarter-page ad on Thursday, June 14, 2018. Wilkinson County Correctional Facility (WCCF), Woodville, where I serve as chaplain, plans to publish its news in this format each quarter in the local newspaper.

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.

Friday, June 8, 2018

A Prayer: Memorial Service for Mrs. Jessie Mae “Momma” Groom

Service held Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility

By Chaplain Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.
Copyright (c) 2018


Jessie Mae Groom

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Jessie Mae Strong Groom, a resident of Woodville, MS died on Sunday, March 12. Visitation was held at Faith Tabernacle of Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 18, 2017, from 10 a.m. until services at noon. Arrangements were entrusted to Mercy Funeral Home LLC., (225) 683-5468.

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Our Heavenly Father, Lord God Most High:

We are gathered here today to remember Ms. Jessie Mae Groom, our colleague, our friend, and our sister in Christ. We acknowledge that for most of us, today is a sad day. Losing a loved-one is never easy. But it is a part of life.

As we grieve over the loss of our dear sister, we want to thank you for the time you have given us to know her. We remember her sweet spirit and her engaging personality. We appreciate her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and her contagious sense of humor.

Lord, as you know, she was a blessing to each of us and to this facility in many ways. We thank you for her work and for all the good that she contributed to her job, as well as to her family and her community.

But more importantly, we thank you for her life as a believer in Christ. We are happy to know that she loved her Lord and Savior. No, she wasn’t perfect, but she trusted in the One Who is perfect. Lord Jesus, she spoke of you often and she sang of your glory. She recited your Word in her attempts to be strong and she prayed in her efforts to be a blessing to others. Lord, she loved you. This we believe.

And because of her faith in you, we can take comfort in knowing that everything is going to be all right. Because of her faith in you, we look forward to seeing her again. Because of her faith in you and what you did at the cross, we have the hope of one day having a heavenly family reunion. Because of her faith in you.

As we honor her memory today, we ask that you would help us to know the Lord that she served. Watch over us. Watch over this facility. Remember both our staff and the offenders we serve. Give strength where there is weakness. Give healing where there are wounds. We pray for deliverance and for a demonstration of your mighty power. Break the spiritual and emotional shackles of the enemy and bring light into this dark place.

We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

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ROSCOE BARNES III, Ph.D., is a writer, chaplain, historian, and former newspaper reporter. He is the author of more than a dozen books and Gospel tracts. For more information about his work and history, see his Personal Profile here or visit his website: http://www.roscoebarnes.net. Connect with him on Twitter (@roscoebarnes3) or by email: roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com.

Friday, June 1, 2018

When F.F. Bosworth Joined the Branham Party

A Look at His Contributions to The Voice of Healing and the Post-WWII Preachers with Healing Ministries

By Roscoe Barnes III
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind Christ the Healer
Copyright © 2018

#FFBosworth


It is commonly known that F.F. Bosworth was a mentor to many evangelists during the post-World War II healing revival in the United States. He was a staple in the salvation-healing meetings held by William Branham and Gordon Lindsay of The Voice of Healing. What is not known is the extent of his influence on the evangelists and the specific details of his contributions to the movement. This article will highlight five of the specific ways that Bosworth had an impact on the movement. Specifically, it will focus on his teachings on divine healing, his endorsement of Branham that resulted in prestige and enhanced credibility for Branham’s ministry, his business model for using healing testimonies, his concept of praying en masse, and his ideas on the use of publishing to extend one’s ministry. There are other ways in which he made a contribution, but they will be shared at a later time.

He provided a voice of authority on divine healing.

Bosworth is known for his classic, Christ the Healer, which was first published in 1924. The book continued to sell during the healing revival, reaching a new generation of readers. Excerpts from the book appeared in The Voice of Healing magazine and a number of books published by healing evangelists, such as T.L. Osborn.

In the first issue of The Voice of Healing, which was published in April 1948, Lindsay featured an article by Bosworth entitled, “Why All Are Not Healed.” In that same issue, he introduced Bosworth as an authority on divine healing. Under the heading, “Conversations with Evangelist F.F. Bosworth” (page 4), he wrote:

Most interesting while we were in Miami, were our conversations with Evangelist F.F. Bosworth, one of the nation’s greatest authorities on the ministry of Divine Healing. Multitudes of people will remember the great Bosworth healing meetings of the Twenties. Vast crowds filled the most spacious auditoriums of the nation to listen to the message of the Gospel of Healing as well as that of salvation. In one city, as many as 19,000 persons confessed Christ as their Saviour. Mighty miracles of healing took place, the fame of which were reported in newspapers of the time over the length and breadth of the land.

Bosworth inspired many with the gospel of healing, and he did so through his teaching, his books, his magazine articles, and his prayer of faith. He was a rare Christian leader whose ministry of healing spanned more than five decades. He provided a voice of authority that was built on a foundation of proven experience. Bosworth’s voice on divine healing was heard in debates during the early years of his ministry and during his time with Branham.

He provided prestige and credibility.

Bosworth was probably one of only a few men who could have brought the level of prestige that Branham needed. After all, he had spent many years as a famous evangelist who held city-wide campaigns that attracted thousands of people in cities throughout North America. His book on healing was a perennial seller. His ministry crossed denominational lines and included support from both Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals. In other words, Bosworth was revered. His endorsement of Branham’s ministry was not taken lightly or seen as a mere simple gesture of friendship.

To appreciate the significance of Bosworth’s support, one may imagine the impact of a 70-year-old Billy Graham announcing his support for a young unknown Baptist evangelist. Imagine how that evangelist would be viewed. The popularity and strength of Graham’s name could potentially make the young preacher a household name. People who might have ignored the unknown preacher would now take notice. Such was the possible scenario with Bosworth and Branham. Bosworth was legendary in the divine healing movement and his endorsement of Branham and the Voice of Healing undoubtedly carried much weight in the minds of those who followed his ministry.

In the second issue of the magazine, Lindsay presented additional information on Bosworth’s contributions as a healing evangelist in a front-page profile entitled, “Rev. and Mrs. F.F. Bosworth Work With Branham Party” (The Voice of Healing, May 1948):

Years ago as a boy the editor remembers that news of the great Bosworth healing campaigns reached the daily newspapers even in the far west. In those days enormous crowds gathered to hear the Bosworth party. The largest crowd ever gathered under one roof in Ottawa, Canada, attended their meetings and some 132,000 sought salvation. The editor has before him a folder showing the great throngs that gathered in the many cities where the Bosworth brothers labored, such as the Arcadia Hall in Detroit, the Arena, Erie, Pa., the Convention Hall at Camden, N.J. and other communities. Besides the great number of healings (Brother Bosworth has received over 2000,000 written testimonies of healing), many tens of thousands found the Lord as their Saviour in those campaigns.

In addition to having association with a respectable name in evangelism, Branham needed people to believe in his gift and in his ministry. Lindsay apparently felt an endorsement from Bosworth would help do the job. So in his profile of Bosworth, he included Bosworth’s assessment of Branham’s ministry. In the May 1948 issue, Lindsay began with a description of their first meeting: “It was in Miami, Fla., that Brother Bosworth met Brother Branham. Both men fell in love with each other, and it seemed the hand of Providence drew them together.”

Lindsay then reported:

Brother Bosworth, remarking concerning the ministry of Brother Branham, declared: “In my own ministry I witnessed all the miracles that I have seen in the Branham meetings, but never in this fashion. I have never claimed the Gift of Healing. Sometimes it took us months to get the crowds to come, and to build up faith so that the miracles would take place, but in Brother Branham’s ministry it is different. Miracles take place the first night and the crowds gather from the first. This is the difference between the Gift of Healing and the prayer of faith.”

Bosworth would go on to say other positive things about Branham’s ministry. He would also write an article about Branham’s gift titled, “Gifts of Healing Plus.” The article appeared in both The Voice of Healing and the popular book, William Branham: A Man Sent From God (1950).




He provided a model for promoting healing testimonies.

The May 1948 issue of The Voice of Healing featured a display of healing testimonies that seemed to mirror a model previously used by Bosworth. For several decades, Bosworth collected healing testimonies and eagerly shared them with his readers. He sincerely believed in them, and he apparently knew how to use them to inspire and persuade readers. In a short profile of Bosworth, which appeared with his photo on page 1 of the magazine, the editor noted: “Brother Bosworth has received over 200,000 written testimonies of healing.”

In my doctoral thesis, F.F. BOSWORTH: A Historical Analysis of the Influential Factors in His Life and Ministry (University of Pretoria, 2010), I argued Bosworth was a shrewd businessman who understood various marketing and promotional techniques. His business knowledge was clearly seen in his use of testimonies. In advertising, good testimonials are known to have persuasive power. As a businessman and as a preacher, Bosworth knew of that power. He frequently collected testimonies and used them in his literature and in his newspaper ads. He also shared them in his sermons. In his early writings, he boldly solicited testimonies from his readers.

Another significant point about the magazine’s use of testimonies is the two-page section titled, “Exploits of Faith.” Readers of Bosworth's literature will recognize the title as the name of his famous magazine that was published decades earlier. Lindsay’s use of “Exploits of Faith” was hardly a coincidence. While he may have used it to connect with readers who had followed Bosworth’s ministry, it is also possible that he wanted to pay homage to Bosworth. In any case, the use of the title is another indication of Bosworth’s influence.





He provided a concept for praying en masse.

In 1949, during evangelistic meetings in Flint, Mich., Bosworth spoke with T.L. Osborn about praying for many people at the same time. It was believed that praying for one person at a time could be physically exhausting and time-consuming when faced with a multitude of hundreds or thousands of people needing prayer for healing. Inspired by Bosworth’s insight, Osborn began practicing what he called “healing en masse.” In his book by the same name, Osborn defined the method as follows:

Mass faith and mass healing means that mass of people believe the same truths at the same time; that they all accept it and act upon it simultaneously. That is when healing en masse results.

Osborn credited Bosworth with presenting him and other evangelists with the concept of healing en masse. In the article, “How Big Is ‘Possible’? T.L. Osborn Recounts One of His Life-Changing Experience” (Faith Digest, May 1949), Osborn wrote:

For some mysterious reason, God chose Mr. Bosworth to seed us with these and many other biblical reasons for faith to help multitudes to be healed at the same time. We had no way of knowing that we would face teeming multitudes of sick people in mass crusades all over the world. God was using this dear old veteran of the healing ministry to prepare our young hearts for greater and more vast healing ministry than had ever been experienced in the history of humankind.

Additional information on praying en masse is presented in my article, “F.F. Bosworth in South Africa: A Historical Analysis of His Later Ministry and Healing Methodology” (Africa Journal of Pentecostal Studies, 2007).

He provided ideas on book publishing.

In addition to presenting the concept of praying en masse, Bosworth also encouraged preachers to publish their messages in books. Osborn noted that in an Oct. 20, 2006 letter to the Rev. Ryan M. Miller:

The question that you ask is the question being asked of me all over the world, wherever I go. That is why I have written some books. My dear friend, Rev. F.F. Bosworth, is who taught me to put what I have learned in books. I am thankful that I learned that early in life.

Conclusion

Based on the many reports in The Voice of Healing, publication of books on healing, and the testimony of Osborn and other preachers from the 1940s and 1950s, it seems that Bosworth’s contributions were significant in many ways and on many levels. What he shared with some of the young preachers in that era positively impacted their ministries for many decades and even into the 21st century. When he joined the Branham party in the late 1940s, he contributed to a movement that resulted in thousands of people being saved and healed in the United States and other countries. His work also led to practical ministry models that have been replicated by scores of preachers, even as more generations learn of his teachings through his book, Christ the Healer.

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Would you like to know more
about F.F. Bosworth?
Visit the F.F. Bosworth page here!

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For more information: 
Visit ffbosworth.strikingly.com. Questions about the research and commentary on F.F. Bosworth may be directed to Roscoe Barnes III, Ph.D.,via email at doctorbarnes3@gmail.com or roscoebarnes3@yahoo.com. For updates on F.F. Bosworth history, simply follow this blog or @Roscoebarnes3 on Twitter. #ChristTheHealer